September 09 / 14.20 Sandown

14.20

Soft

National Racehorse Week Handicap

  • Prize money: £5076
  • 0m 5f 10y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
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National Racehorse Week Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Thunderstorms

Form: 152913 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Five-time winning sprinter; delivered from off a strong pace when scoring at Windsor in August, and she shaped as if still in good form when third in a small field at Salisbury ten days later; handles good to firm and good to soft ground; unlikely to be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(9)

31st Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

13:58 Bath

Sarahs Verse

9st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: Ronald Harris

Six-time course winner (various ground) who runs off the same mark as when winning at Ffos Las in June; however, she's failed to shine here on her three runs this autumn and needs to turn things around.

12/1

7th

3

(9)

31st Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

13:58 Bath

Sarahs Verse

9st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: Ronald Harris

Six-time course winner (various ground) who runs off the same mark as when winning at Ffos Las in June; however, she's failed to shine here on her three runs this autumn and needs to turn things around.

12/1

9th

7

(7)

21st Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

16:10 Bath

Sarahs Verse

9st 6lb

J: David Probert

T: Ronald Harris

Versatile ground-wise and has won six times at this track; most recent win came off this mark at Ffos Las in June but she had a major blip over C&D (heavy) 20 days ago and needs to bounce back after that heavy defeat.

10/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 944361 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Had not had the rub of the green prior to gaining a deserved first win of the year at Beverley (5f, good; disputed lead throughout) two weeks ago; also won over C&D on soft ground last September; very solid candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

8

(10)

9th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

13:15 Southwell (AW)

Melody King

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

0-6 on AW but has shown promise on the Tapeta at Newcastle; can take a strong hold and he won't find it easy trying to dominate in this field.

14/1

8th

2

(8)

20th Feb 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Melody King

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

Scored over 5f at Beverley in August and he made an encouraging return after 13 weeks off when seventh over C&D 11 days ago, tiring only late on; he can build on that now off a handy-looking mark.

10/1

7th

10

(4)

9th Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Newcastle (AW)

Melody King

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

0-4 on AW but he ran well over C&D twice in the autumn; dropped away having helped force the pace at Wolverhampton when last seen in November; others appeal more.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 7-5347 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Made winning debut as 2yo but regressive this season, well held at Brighton five weeks ago; needs to turn over a new leaf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

2

(13)

7th Apr 2023

Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

14:15 Bath

Sows

9st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Malcolm Saunders

Won at Nottingham (5f) on her debut in June 2021 but she's 0-9 since and was well held in her final three runs last season; mark is falling but has something to prove after 193 days off and others are more persuasive; acts on good to firm/good to soft.

12/1

5th

3

(4)

26th Sep 2022

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Ffos Las

Sows

9st 10lb

J: William Carson

T: Malcolm Saunders

led, pushed along and hard pressed 2f out, soon headed and outpaced, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

9/2

Abandoned

Form: 32-149 D BF

Last run: 92 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo; won Wolverhampton maiden (5f, AW) in March and he didn't enjoy a clear run (on good to soft ground) next time; poor run on latest outing but he's since had wind surgery and three months off; if that's had the desired effect he could still be unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(4)

2nd Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:25 Catterick

Mr Beaufort

9st 2lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Two 5f wins for Tom Clover last season, including a Goodwood handicap off this mark; best run for new connections when second of eight in an Ayr handicap last week (5f, good; tongue-tied for the first time); dangerous if he can reproduce that on today's ground (untried on faster than good).

11/4

2nd

3

(5)

24th May 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Ayr

Mr Beaufort

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

travelled strongly, prominent, pressed leader halfway, pushed along over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on until headed towards finish

11/2

3

(9)

16th May 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Beverley

Mr Beaufort

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Bought for 14,000gns in October having won at Goodwood (good to soft) for Tom Clover the previous month; has not hit form for this yard this year; back on his last winning mark but not well drawn.

7/1

Form: 44-541 D

Last run: 101 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
290,000gns yearling; began his career over 7f but it took a drop to 5f for him to get off the mark in maiden at Yarmouth (soft) in June; subsequently left the Gosdens for 35,000gns; he's joined an up-and-coming stable and may have some untapped potential at the minimum trip; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(7)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

18:12 Brighton

Dream By Day

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Bennett

T: Mark Pattinson

Regressive gelding who can pull hard and has hung left a couple of times since returned to turf, including here; most racing over 5f and his record over this trip is hard to enthuse about, for all that this is easier snd he's in a new headgear combination.

20/1

5th

2

(4)

23rd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 16y

Class 6

17:25 Chepstow

Dream By Day

9st 7lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Mark Pattinson

Not as good as he was and although that is reflected in his handicap mark, others bring more pressing claims.

16/1

4th

7

(3)

27th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

17:15 Brighton

Dream By Day

9st 3lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Mark Pattinson

3-25; most recent win came off 16lb higher at Goodwood (5f, good) in August 2023; pulled hard at Chelmsford (5f, AW) when last seen in February; refused to enter stalls in March and returns to turf with hood reapplied.

15/2

Abandoned

Form: 684984

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
AW novice winner; 0-7 in handicaps but his mark has fallen and he wasn't beaten far at Windsor (5f, good to firm) last month on first run for new yard; showed some promise on his debut on soft ground; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:21 Hamilton

Harb

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Hit and miss but it was career win number nine when narrowly scoring at Carlisle 17 days ago (5f, good), coming from off the pace; 4lb higher here.

3/1

1st

10

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Carlisle

Harb

8st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Hindered by traffic issues on his return to turf from AW but latest effort is harder to forgive; otherwise remains well treated on best form, albeit now goes back up in grade.

8/1

8th

2

(9)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Ayr

Harb

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tristan Davidson

C&D winner off this mark last August (good); also won at Newcastle in February; needs to bounce back after two below-par runs.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 4-6313 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Back in the groove when winning at Lingfield (6f, good) in May, and she ran almost as well when third of eight at Windsor (5f, good to soft) three months later; big player off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

17:15 Windsor

Coup De Force

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Stuart Kittow

9-38, her latest success coming when beating three rivals off 2lb lower at Salisbury (5f, good to firm) in June; just as effective over this trip and was poorly drawn when well held at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) last time; not dismissed.

6/1

10th

9

(13)

31st Jul 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Coup De Force

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Stuart Kittow

Ended 2024 in fine form, winning three AW handicaps between September and November; off the mark for 2025 when keeping on strongly to win an uncompetitive four-runner event at Salisbury last month; respectable third at Newmarket 13 days ago; drawn widest and likely vulnerable.

12/1

5

(2)

18th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Newmarket (July)

Coup De Force

9st 7lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Stuart Kittow

Three 6f AW wins last autumn and back on the scoresheet in four-runner handicap at Salisbury (5f, good to firm) last month; inconsistent this year and in a tougher race today, but she's nevertheless respected up 4lb.

15/2

Form: 634218 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Seemed to respond well to a first-time visor when making all at Chepstow (5f, good) in August, but he ran poorly on softer ground next time and recent rain may again count against him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

16:58 Brighton

Secret Handsheikh

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

The latest of his 11 wins was last August off 5lb higher; no win over this far since 2021 but he goes well at this track and, despite recent form, can't be comfortably ruled out.

10/1

10th

3

(13)

22nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

17:03 Bath

Secret Handsheikh

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

Recorded his 11th win when scoring over C&D (firm) last August; well handicapped on that form but he's been up and down this year and was out the back at Windsor two weeks ago; comes with risks attached and he needs to bounce back again.

16/1

10th

5

(11)

7th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

14:25 Windsor

Secret Handsheikh

9st 6lb

J: Neil Callan

T: John Gallagher

Slipping down the weights and his latest Lingfield third (5f AW) wasn't a bad effort; today's return to the turf will help and he is the type to come good soon.

8/1

Abandoned

Form: -43392

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
In form on AW last winter, winning at Lingfield, and he ran creditably after three months off when second at Kempton five weeks ago; however, his sole turf run this year was disappointing and he's not proven on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(2)

21st May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Nubough

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Mark Pattinson

Fine on Tapeta but all his wins have come on Polytrack, including twice last spring at Chelmsford; still dangerous when dipping into this company but he's unpredictable now and 7f round here is enough of a test.

7/1

11th

12

(2)

8th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Nubough

8st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Mark Pattinson

Capable on his day and 1lb below his last winning mark, but now at the veteran stage and recent form has an uneven look to it; others more compelling.

40/1

6th

7

(8)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

15:18 Lingfield (AW)

Nubough

9st 7lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Mark Pattinson

Two C&D wins; has been racing over 7f, a rival forcing a dead-heat off this mark at Chelmsford last May, but he had won over 6f there last March; finished a fair runner-up when making the running again here last month but likely more needed for the win.

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 963541 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Notched win number five at Goodwood (6f, soft) two weeks ago, always prominent; she's just as effective (previous four successes) at 5f and a 5lb rise looks manageable, but an outside stall could be a problem.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(2)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

15:25 Bath

Firenze Rosa

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

Regressive veteran who has finished last at big prices in her last three starts; easy to look elsewhere.

33/1

10

(2)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

15:25 Bath

Firenze Rosa

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

Regressive veteran who has finished last at big prices in her last three starts; easy to look elsewhere.

33/1

11

(9)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

14:45 Brighton

Firenze Rosa

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

Regressive veteran who has finished last on her two recent starts; easy to look elsewhere.

40/1

Verdict

At the top of the weights Sarah’s Verse and Melody King (second choice) have solid profiles and should go well, but preference is for the unexposed DREAM BY DAY whose only previous run at 5f on soft ground resulted in a win. He’s since left the Gosdens but his new yard is having an excellent season. Fellow 3yos Coup De Force, Harb and Mr Beaufort need considering as well.[Richard O’Brien]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dream By Day

The Times:

Coup De Force

TOPSPEED:

Sows

RP Ratings:

Melody King

Daily Mail:

Firenze Rosa

NEWMARKET:

Mr Beaufort

The Sun:

Sarah's Verse

The Guardian:

Dream By Day

The Star:

Dream By Day

Daily Record:

Dream By Day

Telegraph:

Coup De Force

Daily Express:

Sows

POSTDATA:

Melody King

Daily Mirror:

Firenze Rosa